The December meeting of the Plumstead Township Board of Supervisors carried an unmistakable sense of finality, as longtime chairman James McComb presided over his last meeting following an unsuccessful reelection bid in November.
Though stepping down from the board after serving from 2020 to 2026, including three years as chairman, McComb, a Vietnam Marine vet who authored the biographical "More Than Names on a Wall," will continue as chair of the township’s Veterans Advisory Ad Hoc Committee, according to the Bucks County Herald.
Rather than focusing on the end of a term, the evening became a reflection on service, according to the Bucks County Herald.
State Rep. Shelby Labs, R-143, presented McComb with a citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, praising his steady leadership and commitment to the township. Labs described McComb as a public servant guided by integrity and patience, someone more inclined to recognize the contributions of others than seek credit for himself.
The recognition extended beyond Harrisburg, per the report. The Plumstead Township Police Benevolent Association honored McComb with a commemorative plaque, citing his unwavering support of the police department and his role on the Police Pension Committee. That work, union representatives said, helped secure long-term pension stability that will benefit officers for years to come, according to the article.
Before stepping away from the chairman’s seat, McComb handled one final piece of township business, shepherding a resolution endorsing local nominations for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Public Servant Awards.
The board unanimously backed submissions recognizing Karen Grabosky for 911 Dispatcher of the Year, Elizabeth Rice for Emergency Medical Technician of the Year, Joe Cummings for Firefighter of the Year, and Ahmed Elkadousy for Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, per the article.
Elkadousy’s nomination stemmed from a life-saving response to a hunting accident involving an elderly man, actions that also earned him the township police department’s Life Saving Award.
Colleagues used the moment to reflect on McComb’s broader legacy. Supervisor Dan Hilferty highlighted McComb’s military service as a U.S. Marine during the Vietnam War and his lifelong dedication to honoring fellow veterans.
McComb authored More Than Names on a Wall, a biographical tribute to Bucks County veterans, and spearheaded a township initiative to name bridges after residents killed in defense of the nation, organizing six dedication ceremonies with families of the fallen. Though stepping down from the board after serving from 2020 to 2026, including three years as chairman, McComb will continue as chair of the township’s Veterans Advisory Ad Hoc Committee.
Supervisor Ken Lichtenstein offered a more personal reflection, recalling a conversation years earlier about what serving as a supervisor might look like. “It’s been a pleasure working with you,” he said.
For more commentary on McComb's career, read more at the Herald here.
